Monday, May 6, 2013
Monday, April 29, 2013
Zumba Instructor Certification
Do you love Zumba? Do you like to teach? Becoming a
certified Zumba instructor is probably a great career choice for you! We are
here to help answer any questions you may have about how to accomplish this
task.
How to register for Zumba instructor certification
classes
First, go to www.zumba.com and click on the Instructor
Training tab at the top of the page. You will be directed to The Zumba Academy.
There are many different certifications available. Here is a list, and short description, of the
different Zumba training courses.
- Aqua Zumba – Teach workouts that integrate the Zumba formula and philosophy into traditional aqua fitness disciplines.
- Zumba Gold – Teach the active older adult and address the anatomical, physiological and psychological needs specific to this population.
- Zumbatomic – Teach how to fuse the Zumba program's unique formula with the psychology and physiology relevant to teaching kids ages 4-12.
- Zumba Sentao – Teach explosive chair-based choreography that will strengthen, balance and stabilize the core, and step up cardio work.
- Zumba Toning – Teach how to blend body-sculpting techniques and specific Zumba moves into one calorie-burning, strength-training.
- Jump Start Gold – Designed for new instructors who wish to teach the active older adult and addresses their anatomical, physiological and psychological needs.
- Zumba Basic 2 – Learn six more rhythms while reinforcing the Zumba® formula in an easy, effective class for everyone.
- Zumba Basic 1 – Learn the foundation and formula to teach a Zumba® class. You will learn the steps to four basic rhythms (merengue, salsa, cumbia, reggaeton). You’ll learn how to put these steps together into a song, and how to create your first Zumba class
If you are new to instructor training, you will be required
to complete the Zumba Basic 1
course before you can move on to any other training courses.
You can find the class nearest to you by filling out the New
Instructor information at the bottom of the Zumba Academy page. The costs range
from $200 - $285 depending on what certification you are attempting to acquire
and how early or late you register for the class.
What to expect while at Zumba Instructor training
“The course started with a one hour, non-stop, Zumba party.
After that, they break down the basic steps of the four different dance styles.
Once you have learned the steps you will be broken up into groups and each person
in the group has to choreograph a portion of a song. At the end, everyone comes
back together so that each person has to teach their portion. The finished
program is performed and the students become certified instructors.”
How to keep your Zumba certifications current
Zumba certifications give you a 1 year license unless you
pay the $30 monthly fee to join the Zumba Instructor Network (ZIN). You can sign up to become a ZIN member during
training to receive bonus materials and CD’s. As a ZIN member, your
certifications will not expire and you will also receive monthly music and
choreography packets in the mail.
What employers are looking for in a Zumba instructor
“ The first thing I look for when I want to hire someone for
Zumba is making sure they have their certification. If they’re going to teach
the regular Zumba class, it will be the Zumba Basic. I also look for specialty
certifications. The Zumba Gold for the older adult population, Aqua Zumba which
is in the pool, and then the Zumbatomic, which is for kids. Not only do I want
to make sure they have their certification, but they pay the monthly ZIN fee to
keep it current.”
“Some other things I think are very important are
personalities. Zumba, here, is our most popular class, so I need to make sure
that whoever I’m hiring is a strong candidate in terms of being outgoing and
engaging with the members. They love variety. I see they love the hip hop
style, they like the Latin dances, so they need to show me that they offer a
wide variety and they can teach to different levels.”
“Normally in the hiring process, what I like to do,
especially for Zumba, is I like to have them go into the aerobics studio and
teach in one of the classes for at least 10-15 minutes. I just like to see how
they engage and how their personality shines through.”
Now you know how to become a certified Zumba instructor.
It’s time to “Ditch the workout and join the party.”
Work Cited
Beier, Melanie. Personal interview. 26 Apr. 2013
Wilson, Stephanie. Personal interview. 29 Apr. 2013
Zumba.com. N.p., Web. 29 Apr. 2013.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Benefits of Zumba Gold
 |
| Shamrock Shake at the Dover Foundation YMCA Zumba Instructors |
I have said it before and I will
say it again: Zumba is for everyone! Zumba offers a vast array of classes:
·
Zumba Fitness (aerobic dance workout),
·
Zumba
Toning (use toning sticks),
·
Aqua Zumba (water-based workout),
·
Zumbatomics (exclusively for kids 4-12),
·
Zumba
Sentao (chair-based choreography),
·
Zumba
Gold (older adults).
Today, I would like to share the benefits of
exercise, particularly Zumba gold, for the elderly. I will use my experience as
a certified personal trainer as well as online resources and interviews to
inform and educate you about physical exercise and the benefits to your body.
First, I want to look at some of
the health problems associated with aging as well as physical changes to our
bodies:
·
Arthritis – inflammation of the joints
·
Heart disease –stroke, heart attack, high blood
pressure
·
Osteoporosis—decreased bone density
·
Depression
Regular exercise shows there are
many positive effects on the body. I have stated that arthritis is inflammation
of the joints but other symptoms that are also associated with arthritis are
pain, swelling, and a decreased range of motion. According to an article in Livestrong.com
written by Chris Sherwood, the Arthritis Foundation suggests that, “one of the
most noticeable effects of exercise in the elderly population is an increase in
mobility and independence. Exercise increases mobility by decreasing body weight,
increasing strength around the joints, reducing joint stiffness and even
helping to reduce painful inflammation.” Another benefit of exercise is an
increase in range of motion. According
to Kathy Martin a Registered Nurse at the University of North Carolina Chapel
Hill Hospital,” exercise in the elderly is beneficial because it helps control
their weight, helps lower BP (blood pressure) and helps them increase their
range of motion and keeps their joints limber.”
Coronary heart disease is the
number cause of death in the United States. According to the Aerobics and
Fitness Association there are 3 major cardiovascular disorders: heart attack,
stroke, and hypertension. Exercise can strengthen your heart, lower your blood
pressure, increase your energy levels, and reduce body fat. According to livestrong.com,
Zumba Gold “falls under the category of endurance training, which keeps the
heart healthy and the circulatory system strong.”
Osteoporosis is characterized by
decreased bone density. Some causes of osteoporosis are deficiencies in
estrogen, vitamin D, Calcium, and some forms of birth control (depo –provera)
are known to cause osteoporosis. Exercising helps osteoporosis in many ways:
·
Decrease bone loss
·
Increase muscles, which help support bones
·
Improves balance – less falls
Depression is often associated
with the elderly and can be in any range from mild to moderate. Joy Prouty is a
Zumba Education Specialist (ZES), and co-developer of the Zumba Gold program.
Prouty states that “the benefits of the Zumba Gold fitness program are
multifaceted.” According to Prouty “there’s a huge cognitive benefit for
participating elders to connecting and socializing with their peers. As people
and situations with loved ones and friends may have changed, coming together to
workout can be a positive benefit for them.” Exercise releases endorphins that
will make you feel good. Engaging in group fitness will help you take your mind
off your worries and give you a sense of belonging as you bond with your
fitness group.
Zumba Gold is an aerobic workout which
strengthens the heart, helps you maintain or lose weight and can increase your
range of motion. This exercise program is designed specifically for the active
older adult. We offer exercise modifications to help with injuries that you
might have so that you don’t cause further injury or damage. The music that you
will find in a Zumba Gold class is a blend of salsa, merengue, cumbia, tango
and others. If you have never been to any Zumba class then I encourage you to
find an instructor in your area and find the Zumba class that is right for you.
The only warning that I have is that Zumba is very addicting!
Work
Cited
Cespedes, Andrea. "What is Zumba
Gold." Livestrong 26 Apr. 2011: n.p.livestrong.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
Getz, Lindsey. "Zumba Gold Program
Attracts Elders." Aging Well n.d.: n.p.Agingwellmag.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
Gylys, Barbara A., and Mary Ellen Wedding . Medical Terminology Systems. 6th. Philadelphia, PA: F.A. Davis Company, 2009.
Print.
Martin, RN, Kathy S. Personal interview. 18
Mar. 2013.
Prouty, Joy. Zumba.com. n.d. Web. 21 Mar.
2013.
Sherwood, Chris. "The Effects of Exercise
in the Elderly." Livestrong June 2011: n.p.Livestrong.com. Web. 13 Mar. 2013.
 |
| Me and Katie |
Sunday, March 10, 2013
This weekend I went to a zumba fundraiser for ALS (also known as Lou Gehrig Disease). All proceeds raised went to the ALS fund to help find a cure. For those of you who have never heard of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), its a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and the spinal cord. This link http://www.alsa.org/about-als/what-is-als.html is to a website that will give you information about ALS. This weekend was absolutely amazing and there were some incredible instructors there. Although I wasn't instructing, it was nice to go and support a wonderful cause with some extraordinary people. I can't think of a better way to show our support while doing something we love so much. The event this weekend raised over $600.00 !
Wednesday, February 13, 2013
How Zumba Got Started
Zumba started in 2001 when Alberto "Beto" Perez, an aerobics instructor from Cali Colombia, forgot to bring his music to class and all he had with him were salsa and merengue tapes . Beto had to improvise the music and the ladies loved it. In a coffee shop, Beto partnered with two other guys to create what is now known as Zumba Fitness. Zumba has been around for over 10 years and it's still rapidly growing. Zumba Fitness was named Company of the Year in a December issue of Inc.com magazine. I have added the link to the article and hope that you will find it as interesting as I did ! http://www.inc.com/magazine/201212/leigh-buchanan/zumba-fitness-company-of-the-year-2012.html
Monday, February 4, 2013
Sunday, February 3, 2013
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